All of the isolates were very similar in their phenotype, and can ferment D-glucose. Their growth was inhibited by 0/129. They had a polar flagellum, and were facultative anaerobic and Grame-negative. The results indicated that they were different from previously identified luminous bacteria species in some properties. They can grow well and emit light in media without sodium ions or any organic growth factors, can grow in media with 1% - 8% of salt concentration and pH of 6.5 - 11. Their optimal growth salt concentration was 1%, and optimal growth Ph was 9. They can accumulate PHB in their cells as an intracellular reserve product, yield yellow pigment in solid media at later stage of growth, and utilize many kinds of organic compounds as sole or principal sources of carbon and energy. They had a G + C content in their DNA of 47.1 mol%. The seventy isolates were assigned to the genus Vibrio and named Vibrio qinghaiensis sp. nov.. Strain Q-67 was designated as the type strain of this new species differing from the most related species V. harveyi as follows: growth at 4°C, growth in media without sodium ions, optimal growth salt concentration being 1%, ability to produce yellow pigment, to accumulate PHB in their cells, and to utilize (β-hydroxybutyrate, L-leucine, L-tyrosine, sorbitol, but not propionate.

The type strain Q-67 is preserved in the Department of Biology, East China Normal University.